Chapter Fourteen

Azula and Khundes

The doors to Azula's chambers burst open. Two guards hurried through the doorway. In between them was a beaten and broken Khundes. The guards laid Khundes down on the bed.

"Leave us," hissed Azula from behind the guards.

The guards bowed to Azula and left her chambers, closing the door behind them. Azula walked over to the bed where Khundes lay. As gently as she could she placed a hand on Khundes' cheek. She could feel how weak he was.

Khundes felt Azula's hand on his cheek. It was warm and caring. Something he'd never felt from Azula before. He opened his eyes slowly and looked up at her. He couldn't believe what he saw when he looking into her eyes. Sorrow. He never thought he'd see that emotion in her. He put a hand over hers. "Don't worry Azula, I'll be fine," he said.

"I don't like these emotions. All emotion does is make you weak," Azula said angrily.

Khundes squeezed her hand gently. "If you didn't show these emotions for me I would never know that you truly care for me," he said, looking her in the eyes.

Azula shook her head slightly and gathered herself. "Well do you want to eat or clean up first?" she asked.

"Maybe I should get cleaned up first," Khundes said.

"Alright. I'll have the servants fill the bath now," Azula said and walked away.

Slowly Khundes stood up out of bed and walked weakly across the room to Azula's mirror. For only a week in the prison he looked terrible. His hair was matted and dirty. His face was darkened because of the dirt and grime in the cell. He looked down at his wrists. They were red with a few bloody patches on them.

Azula walked back into the room and saw Khundes standing at the mirror. She walked over to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Come on. Once you get cleaned up you'll feel better," Azula said.

Khundes nodded and walked with Azula to the bathing room. He walked in and next to the tub. He removed tattered prison robe and heard Azula gasp.

"When did that happen!?" Azula demanded.

"What?" Khundes said.

"What do you mean 'what?' Your back!" Azula said.

"You should know. You ordered it to be done to me," Khundes said.

"I did no such thing! My orders were that you were to not be harmed. Just that you weren't allowed food or drink," Azula said.

Khundes turned and faced her. "The prison torturer told me it was your orders to have me beaten with a whip. And you're telling me that you didn't give that order?" Khundes asked.

Azula looked at him. She could see the anger burning in his eyes. "Khundes I would never want you harmed. That man will suffer greatly for what he has done to you. I swear it," Azula said.

Khundes' hands balled into fists. He walked over to Azula and backed her into the wall. "How can I believe you?" Khundes said, his tone sounding almost demonic.

For the first time ever, Azula felt frightened. She never thought Khundes was capable of such anger. But just as fast as her fear came it vanished. Azula looked into his eyes. They were so hateful. She placed a hand on his chest and kept her gaze into his eyes. "I swear to you I didn't order this to happen to you. And he will suffer for it," Azula said.

At her words Khundes backed down. "Oh believe me. I know he's going to suffer, because it will be me causing the suffering," Khundes said bitterly.

Khundes began to take off the tattered prison pants to get into the tub. Azula's eyes went wide and she quickly turned around to hide her blushing face. "You are really going to make this man suffer?" Azula asked.

"Yes I am," Khundes said, now sitting in the bath.

Azula turned around and sat down in a chair near the bath tub. She watched Khundes as he bathed. She could see the anger and rage in his eyes. The man she loved had finally returned.